Uploading files to Moodle 2

In Moodle 2, uploading files has been simplified so that it is no longer a two-stage process. Instead of uploading resources to a course Files area and then having to display them in a second step, as we did in 1.9, in Moodle 2 you simply upload the file as a resource or within an activity, and it is stored within a files area directly related to that resource or activity. This should make things easier for tutors, as you will no longer have a Course Files area to keep tidy, and deleting a link to a file will delete the file.

If you want to re-use your files, it is possible to copy files, selecting from either Recent files (those you have recently uploaded) or Server files (this lets you drill down and copy files from other Moodle spaces you have access to). In fact, the Server files option will be very useful when we move to Moodle 2 and we have module spaces for all module codes in SITS. It means that if you are a tutor on multiple instances of the same module, it will be relatively easy to copy a resource across from a course site you have already uploaded it to.

To add a file:

Turn editing on.

Go to Add a resource… then from the drop down list choose File.

Moodle displays the Adding a new File page.

Enter a meaningful Name (this is the link the student clicks on).

Under Description, write a short summary of the resource (this is what the student will see if they look at all course resources via the Activities block).

Under Content, click on the Add button:

The File picker window will be displayed:

Down the left-hand side are a number of links to repositories which hold files you might want to use:

Server files – This takes you to other areas of Moodle that you have access to and where files have been uploaded.

Recent files – This takes you to the last 50 files you have uploaded to Moodle (a quick way of finding files you may want to re-use, but Moodle only shows you files it thinks you want to use) .

Upload a file – You can use this to upload files and folders from your computer.

If you select Upload a file, click on the Choose File button.

The usual Windows (or Mac) file manager appears. Find and click on the file you want then click on Open.

In the Save as field, enter a name for this file.

You can also add the Author name here, and choose a license (e.g. All Rights Reserved, Creative Commons etc.).

Click on Upload this file. The File picker window closes, and you go back to the page where you edit the file.

If you select Server files or Recent files, then you can choose to view them as icons or as list:

Drill down to the file you want to upload and click on it to select it. You can change the file name next to Save as, the Author and the license (Remember this file is a copy of the original, so making a change here will not affect how it appears on the course you are selecting it from).

Click on Select this file to upload it, and you go back to the page where you edit the file.

Under Content you will notice an icon next to the file. If you right click on the icon you have various options available, including Download, Rename, Move and Delete.

Under Options decide how you want the file to be displayed, e.g. whether you want to force students to download it, or whether it will be appear as a pop-up etc.

Scroll down and click Save and display.

The link is displayed in a list format with the usual editing options.

In a future post we will explain how to upload multiple files and folders in Moodle 2.